Jay Saunders has signed a four-year deal to become the new manager of Folkestone Invicta.

Saunders will formally take charge at Cheriton Road when he leaves Tonbridge Angels at the end of this season.

Assistant manager Tom Parkinson and first-team coach Lloyd Blackman are set to join him at Folkestone.

Angels announced earlier this month that Saunders would be leaving Longmead after three years with the National League South club.

That alerted Isthmian Premier Folkestone, who were looking for a new manager after Andy Drury’s dismissal.

Saunders, 46, had interest elsewhere, but the long-term project at Folkestone appealed.

Invicta chairman Josh Healey was previously given permission to speak to Saunders 18 months ago but on that occasion the move didn’t happen.

However, with the former Maidstone boss looking for a new challenge, Healey’s got his man.

“It’s an opportunity I felt I couldn’t say no to,” said Saunders.

“When it came out I was leaving Tonbridge, Josh called and asked what my plans were?

“I’ve had good conversations with three clubs but I was really impressed with Josh’s plans for Folkestone.

“The club’s ambitious, they’ve got the 3G pitch going down in the summer, but it wasn’t ‘you’ve got to come in and win the league next year’, it was ‘I want to build, it’s a project’ and I think that attracted me.

“It’s not going to be easy. It’s up to us to take that challenge on and try and build something over the long-term where we can push and have a bit of success.”

Saunders won the Isthmian Premier title with Maidstone in 2015.

It was the second in a run of three promotions in four years at the Gallagher as he took the Stones from Isthmian Division 1 South to the National League.

He kept United in the top flight of non-league for two seasons before leaving early in the 2018/19 campaign, as well as enjoying considerable success in the FA Cup, twice reaching the second round to go with two other first-round appearances.

Saunders also won the Kent Senior Cup and Isthmian League Cup at Maidstone before managing Margate and Tonbridge.

He turned Angels from relegation battlers into play-off contenders in the space of a season, leading them to 70 points and a record finish of ninth in National League South in 2023.

He brings an impressive CV to Folkestone and while he hasn’t worked in the Isthmian Premier since leaving Margate three years ago, he knows the division well.

“If you look at the majority of our recruitment at Tonbridge, it’s in the lower levels, so I’ve watched a lot of that league,” said Saunders.

“I’ve watched Folkestone and a lot of clubs in that league, so it’s not an unknown, I’m not going in knowing nothing about the level, which is good.

“It’s going to be a tough gig but it’s one we’re really looking forward to, and if we can match the ambition off the pitch on it, we’ve got a chance of having a good time.

“I think it’s a club that can attract players and I’d like to think we can attract players as a management team.

“It’s a competitive league. All these leagues are now, where there are so many clubs pushing.

“There’s a lot of good Kent teams in there, some really big games, and that excites me.

“I said I was looking for the next challenge when it came out I was leaving Tonbridge and this is a real challenge.

“I’m really looking forward to it and seeing what we can do.”

Chairman Healey said: “I’d like to thank our supporters for their patience during this period.

“It’s no secret Jay has been on my radar ever since I became involved with FIFC just over 18 months ago. He’s done a tremendous job in all of his previous roles and is hugely respected in the game.

“I’m really excited for this new chapter under Jay’s leadership. This is a long-term project and his pedigree aligns perfectly with the club’s ambitions and vision, which is, of course, to climb the pyramid.

“If this season has shown us anything, it’s that relying solely on experience in a squad isn’t the answer. With our new Academy set to launch in September and further developments within our youth system, we’re committed as a club to building a pathway for the next generation, and we want our squad to be reflective of that.

“Jay adopts the same mindset and sees this as a vital element in the progression of players here at the Alcaline.

“The ideal scenario would be for Jay to get started immediately but we, of course, need to be respectful to Tonbridge Angels and their search for a new manager.

“As it stands, Jay will be joining at the end of this campaign, ready to kick-start our next one with a strong pre-season.”

Saunders has five games remaining as Tonbridge manager in his attempts to land a second top-10 finish in three seasons.

They sit 10th, ahead of this weekend’s visitors, Farnborough, on goal difference.

Folkestone suffered a 3-1 home derby league defeat to Chatham despite midfielder Amadou Kassarate’s second-half goal on Saturday. They visit leaders Dartford this weekend.